Tamil civilians are living in over 30 temporary camps since the end of the conflict between the military and the Tamil Tigers in May. The area where camps are located is littered with landmines.

India plans to send 500 soldiers to Sri Lanka - its largest contingent since the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1987 - to help de-mine north and north-east Sri Lanka.

'Devolution is part of the constitution and implementation is part of the process. We have made significant progress,' Bogollagama had told Indian journalists after the talks.

Bogollagama briefed Krishna about steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to resettle and rehabilitate the Tamils and the process of building political consensus over devolution of powers, informed sources said after the talks.